“REED” This

Did You Hear That?

A few nights ago, we had some stormy weather come through. There was some rain, but the wind is what really got my attention. I was awoken several times during the night. One time I heard the heavy rain hitting the roof and the water splashing to the ground as it gathers to one particular spot during storms. All the other times I was just hearing the wind. Well, not actually the wind, but the things it was affecting. I could hear the whooshing and swishing as it whipped through the tree limbs and leaves. I heard something on the back porch being blown around. What woke me up the most was hearing knocks and bumps and scratches on the sides of the house. That was telling me something I’ve known for a while that I’ve neglected – pruning. All the plants around my house are needing some serious pruning. I’ve seen it for a long time, but kept putting it off saying, “I think I’ll just go for a more natural look.” The only thing is, that natural look has gotten to a point where it just looks overgrown. Bushes that normally are only about five feet tall are above my second story roofline. Those plants are growing and look quite healthy, so I hate to cut on them. But I know, it’s not good to have the plants knocking and scratching up against the house. That can damage the paint or even the wood. A natural look is fine, as long as it is under control.

I was thinking about hearing those bumps and scratches, and I was reminded of something else. We all have times in our lives when we may get a little complacent in our routine or in the way things seem to be going. Our walk with the Lord is okay and we feel good. Then, we start hearing bumps, knocks, and even scratches. It may be a storm, or it may simply be the Holy Spirit trying to get our attention. Complacency is dangerous. We never need to think we have arrived at a place where we can be satisfied with where we are and what we have achieved. We are to always be growing in our faith and growing in our understanding of God and growing in our relationship with Him. We may have grown a lot in the past, but the more we know God, the more we realize we don’t know God. He is too great! But He wants us to grow closer to Him and learn more and know Him more and fellowship with Him more. Jesus said, “I Am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:1-2) That’s God working in our lives, shaping us into what He wants us to be so that we may be able to accomplish the great plans He has for us. We must be abiding in Him and growing in Him for Him to be able to do this. He won’t force Himself upon us, we must submit and allow Him.

Jesus speaks to Christians in Revelation 3:20 and says, “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” We need to be listening. We need to hear His voice and be ready to let Him in and spend time with Him. We may even be at a point where we are asleep and God has to wake us up, but we don’t want to miss the opportunity to spend time with and grow closer to our Savior.

(bump)

Did you hear that?

Is Someone trying to get your attention?

Bro. Paul Reed

Tuesday, January 4, 2022